anxiety after a stent fitting

[literacymatters]

Hi. I'm new here. I had a series of HAs, an angiogram and a stent in the LAD coronary artery two weeks back, in Oxford's JR hospital. Everything was fine, and this miraculous operation described as 'routine'. Since then I've often felt perfectly ok, but have also had days (and nights) where I almost have to fight to take breath into a constricted chest and feel weak and wobbly (but no pain, so have not used the GTN spray or called anybody). My assumption is that this will continue slowly to improve, so my questions are - is this history 'normal' and how should I manage the extraordinary anxiety that it engenders? The heart is so central, actually and mythically, and makes itself known so viscerally, doesn't it!

[Nettekin]

Hi LM (not very literate I know) As TWU says, yours feelings are entirely normal. I strongly feel that it is abnormal not to feel anxiety after a heart event. Most of us potter along in life and then these issues arrive out of left field and knock us for six. My own nstemi and 2 stents was in July 2019, and I still wonder about odd twinges. However, it is no longer the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning or the last thing before I go to sleep. The anxiety does improve even if it never completely goes away. Having said all that if you have any symptoms that worry you, call your GP or if severe chest pain that does not respond to GTN 999. Xx

[literacymatters in reply to Nettekin]

Thank you for your extremely reassuring responses. I felt better immediately! I’m absolutely sure you are right.

[petetop]

I had my stent fitted in November and as the others say, anxiety, bit of worrying it mm at happen again is normal.I started excercising after about a week at home, just walking round town with my wife.

Some days I would just get very tired in the mid afternoon for no reason, doc said this was normal . It did pass after a couple of weeks.

Then about 3 weeks ago started getting very breathless when I went walking to town, saw the doc and he upped my dose of bisoprolol.

So some symptons could be getting your dose of medicines correct .

Regards

[literacymatters in reply to petetop]

That’s more very good brain food!

[Bradee12]

Hey mate,All good, nothing unusual that you reported from my single experience!

After a HA due to my LAD blockage, they put in two stents last May. All well since.... except that the drugs afterwards have needed juggling. Eg I was walking fine for an hour each day, then after about 3 months started to get really sore Achilles tendons. Nothing had changed in my walking routine. The Doc said it was due to the statin I was on. Changed statin but still no good so he stopped them. I'm not concerned as I can regulate cholesterol by diet. So just something to monitor. No need to stress. Just adjust sensibly as time goes on little by little.

[literacymatters in reply to Bradee12]

Thanks! Who would have thought about statins affecting the Achilles’ tendons? Interesting and useful to keep in mind. I’m walking about 15 minutes ok and adapting the (already quite healthy) diet. Thanks again.

[MountainGoat52]

Hi there!

I think the crux of the matter is that for many of us who lead reasonably healthy lifestyles, we don't think about heart issues before they happen. Having a HA comes as a complete shock and we then feel vulnerable and anxiety sets in. I have got around this by analysing what had gone wrong and adopting a strategy for coping in the future.

I would say that for me this was quite easy as it was discovered that my HA was partially caused by an hereditary issue and partly by stress created by work in combination with some other events. The hereditary element was easy to deal with through medication. For the rest I have adopted a different mental attitude, probably to the annoyance of others as I now have a more laid back approach to life.

Maintaining a positive attitude has been an essential part of my recovery. Focusing on the things that we love helps. For me that is walking the hills and mountains, currently curtailed by the lockdown, but on my agenda for when we have more freedom. In the meantime I am focusing on other interests, but I still get out for a decent walk most days to maintain a reasonable level of fitness.

In respect of medication, I have found it helpful to be proactive in the prescription process. A bit of knowledge about what each drug does has enabled me to discuss the pros and cons of the various medications with my GP. Most medications have alternatives.... I am on my 4th statin. 😀 There will be a combination that is right for you. As I've said on several occasions here on this forum, medication is there to make us better, not to make us feel unwell.

I hope that the situation improves for you over the coming weeks and months. There will be times when you feel down, but that is only natural and lockdown certainly does not help. I find that a quick walk around the block can help me get rid of such feelings and when I get back I make myself a drink and get on with something that interests me.

All the best,

Gerald

[Giveadogabone in reply to MountainGoat52]

Gerald, it was so reassuring to read your post. Thank you.

[literacymatters in reply to MountainGoat52]

When the dust has settled a bit, I will research the meds. My GP is ok, but only ok, so being proactive makes sense. Thanks. I’m also working on attitude! And I walk daily, starting with ten minutes and working up. I have not had to use the spray yet.

[MountainGoat52 in reply to literacymatters]

Sounds like you have a plan. I was determined to get back to normal as soon as I could as a way of respecting the excellent care that I received from the NHS. I was actually invited to have a triple bypass 11 months after my HA which kept me off the hills for 3 months, but I was soon back up in Scotland doing what I enjoy.

I don't now have GTN spray as part of my medication as I have been "fixed". I had no need to use it and hopefully it will be the same for you.

Kind regards, Gerald

Oh, just one more thing. I am allergic to many medications which was why I became proactive with regards to what I was being prescribed. I carry a homemade card with me when I am out to advise what is what. It gives me some comfort as seemingly innocuous drugs such as diuretics make me very unwell.... just one dose is sufficient.

[Qualipop]

Check your medication. I felt exactly like that after stents and a HA. The cause was ticagrelor. It had to be changed. It's a feeling like asthma as if you can't get your breath but yet you are breathing juts fine.

[PhilandDon]

Hi literacymattersAs an ex PE teacher my heart attack 18 months ago and the consequent necessity for 3 stents was a definite shock to the system. I can only echo the previous replies that it is perfectly normal to be unbelievably anxious after the event and that it will manifest in all sorts of ways. I found that very gradually increasing exercise built up my confidence although pre-Covid, I had access to a cardiac rehabilitation group twice a week which was a tremendous help for swapping stories and medical education from a nurse. I still get a bit nervous when I feel anything unusual but I know I can contact help and support. It will get better and welcome to the club.

Regards

[literacymatters in reply to PhilandDon]

It’s great to hear everyone’s experience and take on this. I hear you all gratefully. I am definitely improving and it’s partly due to your kind inputs. Thanks!